Saturday, April 4, 2015

Good and the Bad

This is a random sketch.  I use my smart phone camera to capture images that I like but don't have time to sketch. Then, when I have more time, I stroll through the pictures and sketch them. It's now time to catch up.

I've sketched my pack rats before. They are a bother and can cause costly damage to any vehicle parked outside. When they show up I use a catch-alive trap to catch them, and relocate them down the road. We live in a rural area with few houses. It's easy to drive them to a large field with great habitat for them and set them free. In the big picture, these rodents proliferate well and I could just kill him and cause no damage to the ecosystem. However, he's so darn cute I can't do it. When they make it into the garage I do, but when they're outside, their crime doesn't warrant death.  However, a coworker had one eat a hose on her automatic transmission that she didn't notice until the transmission was totaled out. I may change my protocol if that were to happen to me.

As for the bread, we like to cook it fresh instead of buying it. We like the artisan no-knead breads as an occasional treat. They are photogenic, just like the rat. I'm baking some rolls for Easter as I'm putting this post together, too. Can't get enough fresh bread!


9 comments:

Kate (Cathy Johnson) said...

Your comments are as wonderful as your sketches, John!

winna said...

I have this mice (I thought) problem...find the stuff in the engine areas...I was told to put dryer sheets around and that would stop them...well, it didn't..and the odor of the dryer sheets is sickening in the car....now I am thinking of periodically starting the engine up with my remote control key..that ought to give them a fright...I live next to a nice field they must populate etc....you bread tale made me hungry----got some Irish Brown bread I make in the freezer..sure an it takes me back to
Listowel !

john.p said...

Winna - If you're finding stuff in the engine area, it's pack rats! I've also learned they don't live in most of the stash areas. They're just planning for a rainy day, and probably live in that field you mentioned. They sure are pests. As for the bread, it's seems a universal affection with many countries. Gotta love it.

john.p said...

Glad you like'm, Kate.

john.p said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Marva Plummer-Bruno said...

Oh I love your spreads! I'm trying to squeeze in some sketching time. Starting over with Cathy's book "Artist's Journal Worksop." Figured that would get me inspired! I don't know if you remember, I'm originally from Kansas as well, and I just realized "figured" is probably one of those Kansas sayings…. :) I used to worsh my clothes too but my husband made fun of me I changed that fast! :) Have an awesome Easter!

john.p said...

I know we both go way back in this journaling/blogging world but I forgot you were from Kansas. And this would be a boring world if we all spoke the exact same dialect. Hope you have a nice Easter, too, Marva.

A.M.Jacob said...

That bread looks so good that I actually got hungry! What a great post, and really lovely sketches. (Lucky, cute little rat.)

Unknown said...

As usual, a wonderful journal spread! Why is it the cutest critters do the most damage? I love your drawing of the little rascal in the cage.